UP TO 10 patients are sought for an innovative medical project which means their condition can be monitored remotely from their homes.

Patients are hooked up to equipment which can record blood pressure, oxygen levels, blood glucose levels, heart rate and breathing and weight from a central monitoring unit.

Locally, this central monitoring unit will be run by ChesterCare - part of Chester & District Housing Trust - which will automatically receive readings down the phone line in a matter of seconds.

If the results fall outside normal ranges, the monitoring unit alerts a community matron, with specific responsibility for that patient, who will take prompt action.

The telemedicine project, which will help older people and others with long-term medical conditions, is being piloted by Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) in partnership with Cheshire County Council.

PCT spokeswoman Anne-Marie Storey said: 'It benefits patients because they feel less anxious about their condition and more in control of their situation.

'There is also less chance of their health deteriorating to the extent that they need to move into residential or nursing homes or be admitted to hospital.

'It helps the NHS because fewer patients need to be admitted to hospital as medical emergencies or attend Accident and Emergency and fewer prescriptions need to be dispensed.'

The system is said to be successful in parts of the country, including Milton Keynes.

Now Western Cheshire PCT has been funded by the county council to try it out here and family doctors are identifying up to 10 local patients with long-term conditions who might be interested in taking part in the pilot.

Patients would only be connected to the equipment for short periods of time, determined by their condition.

The pilot scheme is expected to start in early September and last for six months. The county council and PCT will then decide whether it should be continued and made available to other patients with similar conditions.

The ChesterCare team, who will manage the project, provides a front line service for Chester and District Housing Trust (CDHT), private individual clients and local businesses.

Based in the centre of the city, Chester-care was set up to monitor CDHT's Trust's supported housing service.

However, the business has now expanded and today the team works closely with health and social care departments, housing associations, community safety teams and groups to meet the needs, and support vulnerable people maintain their safety, well being, independence and dignity.